Newt Gingrich Earned Role on Parks and Recreation After Walking Into Indianapolis Steak House
If you were wondering how Parks and Recreation could top cameos from Joe Biden and John McCain, here's your answer: Newt Gingrich will make a guest appearance on the show sometimes later this season. What's more, the the casting was a complete coincidence. As the Indianapolis Star reports, the Parks and Recs crew were filming in the St. Elmo Steak House in Indianapolis when the former presidential candidate and Speaker of the House strolled in for lunch.
Show co-creator Mike Schur quickly wrote a part for Gingrich.
"It was a completely random chance," Schur said. "But you can't pass up on an opportunity like that."
And, of course, Rob Lowe broke the news on Twitter.
Latest surprise drop by on set: Speaker Newt Gingrich! So we made up a scene and put him in!!#AllHappeningInIndy
— Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) December 3, 2012
Speaking of Twitter, Schur, who tweets under the pseudonym Ken Tremendous, must have been thrilled to see the politician in real life; the show runner is a long time fan of Gingrich's moon program.
You know that somewhere, down deep, Newt is thinking, "On the Moon Colony, I could have a THOUSAND wives! People will get me there!"
— Ken Tremendous (@KenTremendous) January 26, 2012
Once we get the moon colony up and running, THEN we can double back and figure out the economy and education and gay rights and stuff.
— Ken Tremendous (@KenTremendous) January 26, 2012
There are a lot of very serious issues in this country. Chief among them, when the hell are we finally going to have a moon colony?!
— Ken Tremendous (@KenTremendous) January 26, 2012
In tomorrow night's debate, when you watch Newt Gingrich, just imagine that all he is thinking is: "Moon Colony...Moon Colony..."
— Ken Tremendous (@KenTremendous) January 26, 2012
It really wouldn't be too much of a stretch for Andy or Ron Swanson to bring up moon colonies, so here's hoping Gingrich's role turns into long discussion on the pros and cons of the future of space exploration.